‘Industry leaders call for more collaboration between the world of business and education’

19.07.10) APPRENTICESHIPS are the ultimate model for work based learning, offering young people a chance to carve out a career in their chosen industry.

In a recent article for The Guardian, business tycoon and Dragons Den favourite Peter Jones expressed his views on getting more employers involved with Apprenticeship programmes in order to widen the industry sectors that employ them.

In particular, he outlined the importance of young people gaining vital business skills in order to create the entrepreneurs of the future who are going to help get the UK economy back on track.

A Business Administration apprenticeship is a perfect starting platform for people looking to progress and acquire news skills within the commercial arena. Employers can benefit from having staff that have been trained with the right skills and are more motivated to stay with their employer; thus making it easier to develop future managers from within an organisation.

An inspiring example of how a Business Admin apprenticeship can help launch a career is Alliance Learning's Halima Ahmed. 

Now aged 20, Halima started her apprenticeship programme with Bolton based training provider Alliance Learning in 2007, going on to complete her Level 2 and Level 3 within two years of beginning the course. 

On completing her apprenticeship Halima, who had worked as an Apprentice Administrator in Alliance's Care Department, secured the rewarding position of Employment Placement Officer.

Speaking about her success, Halima commented: "My professional development has always been very important to me and knowing the particular career direction I wanted to take, a business admin apprenticeship suited me perfectly.

"I hope I can set a good example, not only for young people looking to start their career, but also to employers, who can benefit immensely from the skills an apprentice can bring to their business."

With influential, industry leading voices such as Peter Jones igniting rousing discussion about the importance of communication between employers and training providers, it may not be too long before we see a further investment into the training of young learners in the UK.